How to understand the concept of GREEN in an architectural perspective is the aim of my thesis. Aside from the basic concepts of sustainable building design, such as climate responsive layout, natural systems from daylight to fresh air providing a superior environment for the occupants as well as a better long-term contribution to the surrounding urban environment, more emphasis has been put on the understanding of GREEN from the historical and cultural perspective. Based on the inspirations from an in-depth typological research of the town house and its development in the history and its respondence to the nature environment and urban contexture, a set of comprehensive GREEN design strategies have been developed in this thesis work.